Orren Pickell Building Group Identifies Six Home Building/Remodeling Trends for 2014

Award-winning Orren Pickell Building Group (OPBG) recently announced its predictions for what homeowners will be looking for this spring. The innovative and successful team at Pickell expects homeowners to continue their search for the perfect place to call home, often turning to designs that enhance family living and technology that helps makes day-to-day living less stressful and more productive. With these observations in mind as well as an uptick in job growth, credit availability and consumer confidence, OPBG offers six residential home building trends for 2014:   

1.      The U-Socket: iPhones, iPads, and all things Apple have a pervasive presence in many American households hence the inclusion of the U-Socket wall plug. The plug conveniently features two built-in USB ports that can power iPhones, Kindles, iPads, gaming devices, and digital cameras. Plus the U-Socket has a smart sensor, allowing it to shut off when the device is fully charged, a nice green feature that saves energy.

2.      Eco-friendly cabinets: And speaking of the environment, Pickell Builders predicts that homeowners will continue to ask for materials that keep Mother Nature in mind. “We expect cabinets without added formaldehyde and non-toxic glues, binders and finishes to grow in popularity,” says Orren Pickell, president and CEO.

3.      Appliances that wow. Ever wish your dishwasher could clean out a re-usable water bottle? Appliance makers like Electrolux have the answer with a dishwasher that can send a dedicated water jet into a bottle that really needs a good bath. Manufacturers also continue to respond to Americans who use their kitchens as an entertainment center as well as a place to prepare food. So expect to see more walls come down and appliances that blend more seamlessly into the kitchen.

4.      Accommodating multigenerational living. More and more homeowners want the option of housing that can accommodate more than one generation. “It’s not unusual to see a family with an adult child preparing to launch a career and a grandparent all under the same roof,” says Pickell. “Aging parents and boomerang kids are now a fact of life for many people, so products like motion sensitive faucets and walk-in bathtubs will become more popular.” Universal design, a concept that’s been around for decades, will truly take off as well, especially for people who want to age in their own homes.

5.      Neutrals over color. Blue is big this year though, overall, neutrals still rule. Sandy tones and grays are in, but accents offer a great opportunity for splashes of color.

6.      Barrier-free showers. For years, showers—with their elaborate jets and exquisite tile designs—have undergone a metamorphosis that’s taken cleanliness to a shiny, new level. “Now we’re beginning to see a lot of barrier-free and ‘curb-less’ showers that allow people to move more freely and safely in the bathroom,” says Pickell. “Plus, the shower area keeps getting bigger, sometimes to make room for benches and bars, adding an additional safety and comfort factor.”

ABOUT:  With nearly 40 of homebuilding experience, Orren Pickell continues to lead the industry in design, innovation and unparalleled customer service. Orren Pickell Building Group’s custom homes, extraordinary remodels and unrivaled reputation are echoed by the hundreds of awards they have received. Capabilities extend to all facets of design and building, including Architectural Design, Custom Home Building, Remodeling, Vacation Homes, Home Maintenance, and Cabinetry. For more information, please call 847-572-5200 or visit pickellbuilders.com.